How Your Health is Like Your Car

How Your Health is Like Your Car.

By: Dr. Peggy Malone

I know what you are thinking. That’s a weird title. Hmm…I wonder where this is going?

Stay with me for a minute…It’s gonna get good.

This is a week that many people are reflecting on their health and potentially on the poor choices that they made for their health last year. It’s the week when we are all full of hope that this is the year…this is the January where I turn it all around and get superstar healthy.

I want to get your attention when you are in the midst of that reflection.

This week, I was given a reading assignment by my business coach. I read the book ‘The Strangest Secret’, by Earl Nightingale. It is a book that was written in 1956 and is considered to be the seed out of which grew the entire personal development industry.

There was a paragraph in this book that got me thinking about how all of us treat our health and wellness and I wanted to share it with you here today.

‘Everything that’s really worthwhile in life came to us free: our mind, our soul, our body, our hopes, our dreams, our ambitions, our intelligence, our love of family and children and friends.

All these priceless possessions and are free, but the things that cost us money are actually very cheap and can be replaced at any time.’

These words are profound for many reasons and if you are so inclined, I highly recommend you read the book as it is a good one. However, for today’s post, I want to focus on one portion of what Earl was saying.

“Our Body” or if I can add to that: “Our Health”.

For the great majority of us, our health came as standard equipment when we were born. It was given to us for free and for a great many of us, we place little value on the things that we got for nothing.

That said, we tend to place great value on things that we pay money for.

Here’s where your car comes into the story.

When you were a teenager, you probably put a lot of time, effort and money into the project of learning to drive. Maybe you took drivers education, or you saved every last penny to buy a car or you did extra chores around the house for a chance to borrow your parents’ car.

When you started to drive regularly, you knew it was important to take care of that car. It needed to be fueled regularly and taken in for maintenance several times per year. When you were driving you paid attention, you kept both hands on the wheel and you planned out your journey as you drove.

Now that said, some of you may have gone a different route and you drove fast and dangerously. Maybe you drove or continue to drive with the engine light on.

You can probably see where I’m going with this. Your health is a lot like your car.

Just like your car, if you take good care of your health, by learning how to use it, and maintain it (good nutrition, exercise, sleep, manage stress) then it will serve you well.

It will take you from A to B on your journey of life and allow you to enjoy the scenery along the way.

If you abuse your car (or your health), and don’t maintain it or if you are careless while driving it, you may end up stalled, crashed, ditched or totaled (sick or dead)

Keep in mind that even with good care and maintenance, it is still possible (with either your health or your car) to come across unexpected problems that are beyond your control. (a flat tire, an accident, an unexpected illness)

BUT: If your health (or your car) is well taken care of, it will run well for years to come.

Now, let me ask you this:

When was the last time you took your car in for service?

I’m guessing in the last few months.

When was the last time you thought about your current level of health and what are you doing in your life to make improvements so that it will serve you for years to come?

Many, if not most people don’t give their health a second thought until something goes wrong. Then they are totally surprised that they are sick.

These same people will diligently take their car in for service 3-4 times per year, as well as keep it sparkling clean, and maintained.

What is more important? Your car or your health?

Don’t take your health for granted. You were given this amazing beautiful gift when you came into this life and it is yours to take care of. You can replace your car when it comes to the end of it's life. You have only one body and only one life to treat it right. It is irreplaceable.

You can start today and make positive changes so that you can take this ultra important asset and use it for years to come.

You are in the drivers seat.

Good or bad, the direction that you choose to go is in your hands.

If you need some motivation or support on your journey toward better health and wellness, I can help. Check out my Free 21 Day Health Challenge that will get you on track to better Health habits.

Live Well (and drive safe ),

Peggy

Dr. Peggy Malone is a Chiropractor and an Athlete who helps other athletes to overcome injury and get back to their sport. Her weekly Television Series 'Living Well" inspires people from all walks of life to take control of their health to be as happy and as healthy as they can be.

A former varsity Basketball and Rugby player, she has since entered the world of endurance athletics where she has completed 2 Ironman Triathlons, 3 Marathons, several Half Marathons and many other Triathlons, Road Races and Off-Road Adventure races of varying distances.

Her own athletic endeavors and injuries have given her valuable insight into working with athletes in her practice for both the care of injuries as well as for the improvement of athletic performance.

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